Israel, NanoCollege sign R&D agreement

Deal could create jobs, be worth $3B

Updated 12:29 am, Thursday, March 21, 2013

Rebecca LaForest, a work station operator, loads wafers into a tool for processing circuitry on chips in the NanoFab Central clean room on Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering in Albany, NY. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union)

Rebecca LaForest, a work station operator, loads wafers into a tool...

University at Albany College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) Nano Tech Complex, Tuesday March 9, 2010, in Albany, N.Y. (Will Waldron / Times Union archive)

Alain E. Kaloyeros, left, College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering CEO, Nili Shalev of Israel's economic mission and NYS Lt. Gov. Robert (Bob) J. Duffy, at right, sign a high-tech international partnership during a ceremony at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering in Albany Wednesday March 20, 2013. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

Alain E. Kaloyeros, left, College of Nanoscale Science and...

NYS Lt. Gov. Robert J. Duffy, leftt, and Alain E. Kaloyeros,College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering CEO, during a ceremony announcing a new high-tech international partnership at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering in Albany Wednesday March 20, 2013. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

Nili Shalev of Israel's economic mission speaks during a ceremony at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering in Albany to announce a new high-tech international partnership with NYS and CNSE Wednesday March 20, 2013. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

Nili Shalev of Israel's economic mission speaks during a ceremony...

NYS Lt. Gov. Robert J. Duffy speaks during a ceremony at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering in Albany to announce a new high-tech international partnership with NYS and CNSE Wednesday March 20, 2013. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

Banners suspended overhead in the CNSE atrium show photos of Obama and Gov. Andrew Cuomo during the president's visit last May to CNSE.

In Israel, Netanyahu on Wednesday presented Obama with a gold-coated silicon chip that The Times of Israel reported was etched with the declarations of independence of the United States and Israel.

The gift, produced at Technion, Israel's major technological university, was intended to illustrate that nation's accomplishments in nanotechnology.

Israel is seeking to develop a full production line to fabricate microprocessors on 450-millimeter silicon disks, a research focus of the G450C research consortium that Cuomo established at CNSE in September 2011.

The $4.8 billion effort to revolutionize how chips are manufactured includes five major semiconductor companies — Intel, IBM, Samsung, GlobalFoundries and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.

Current chips are fabricated on 300-millimeter, or 12-inch, disks. The increase in size to 450 mm, or 18 inches, would boost industry productivity and lower costs.

Israeli officials, during a visit to CNSE last June, talked of a potential collaboration.

"I'm highly impressed," Shalev said during the tour. "The investment that has gone into this place... it's definitely something we need to learn how we can benefit from."

On Wednesday, Shalev was back in Albany to sign the memorandum of understanding that resulted from that visit and others.

"This will take us to new horizons," Kofman said before the signing ceremony on a stage lined with American and Israeli flags.

With the agreement, Israeli researchers will now participate in the G450C effort.

And talks are continuing with representatives of the European Union about a possible role for the EU in the consortium as well, a CNSE spokesman said.

During last June's Israeli visit, Kaloyeros, CNSE's chief executive, had said of the talks that state officials were having with the EU, "it makes perfect sense to have that cross-Atlantic relationship."